Garden gnome

A garden gnome, or lawn gnome, is a figurine of a small humanoid creature, usually wearing a pointy hat, displayed for the purpose of ornamentation on front lawns or in gardens. These figurines originated in 19th-century Germany, where they became known as Gartenzwerge (garden dwarfs). The application of the term gnome in English is first attested in the 1930s.

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Garden statuary has been common in Europe at least since the Renaissance.[1] Among the figures depicted were gobbi (Italian for dwarfs or hunchbacks).[1] In particular, Jacques Callot produced 21 designs for gobbi, engraved and printed in 1616.[1] By the late 18th century, porcelain "House Dwarfs" had begun to be produced, and they remained popular ornaments throughout the 19th Century.[1] In addition, wooden statues of gnomes had been made in Switzerland, around the town of Brienz. Even so, the claim to be the manufacturer of the first garden gnome is hotly contested, but it is possible that Baehr and Maresch of Dresden produced the first ceramic gnomes, having them in stock as early as 1841.[1] From around 1860 onwards, many statues were made in Gräfenroda, a town in Thuringia, Germany, known for its ceramics.[1][2] Philip Griebel made terracotta animals as decorations, and produced gnomes based on local myths about the gnomes' willingness to help in the garden at night. The garden gnome quickly spread across Germany and into France and England, and wherever gardening was a serious hobby.

The manufacturing of gnomes spread across Germany, with numerous other large and small manufacturers coming in and out of the business, each having its own particular style of design. World War II was hard on the industry, and most producers gave up then. Griebel's descendants still make them and are the last of the German producers, all others having moved production to Poland or China. Currently, there are an estimated 25 million garden gnomes in Germany.[2]

Garden gnomes are typically males, often bearded, usually wear red hats and often have pipes. They are made in various poses and shown pursuing various pastimes, such as fishing or napping.[7]

Gnomes have become controversial in serious gardening circles in the UK, and have been banned from the prestigious Chelsea Flower Show, as the organisers claim that they detract from the garden designs.The ban was lifted just for 2013 the 100 year anniversary of Gnomes. Gnome enthusiasts accuse the organisers of snobbery because they are popular in working class and suburban gardens.[8]

Gnomes may be made from terracotta clay slip (runny clay) poured into molds. This is allowed to set up and the excess emptied from the centre, leaving a clay shell. The gnome is removed from the mold when firm, allowed to dry and then fired in a kiln until hard. Once cooled, the gnome is painted. More modern gnomes are made from resins and similar materials.[9]